Homún, Yucatán — Work is done on the large, corporate pig farm that residents fear will contaminate their sacred cenotes.
But the complex remains silent, and devoid of any ham-producing residents, while two petitions are weighed by a federal judge.
The petitions were filed by protesters who have formed a civil association called Ka’anan Ts’onot (Guardians of the Cenotes), have promised to take their fight to the highest authorities.
The president of the collective, José May Echeverría, said that waste from the farm would threaten the underground water system that feeds not only the potable water supply, but also the natural cenotes that attract tourists to the vicinity.
He expects federal courts to take three to six months to analyzed information and hand down a decision.
Grupo Kekén, a large pork processing plant in Yucatán, has told demonstrators that it is withholding its support pending the court decision, according to protestors. The company is branded as “Socially Responsible” and wishes to uphold its image, said May.
The farm is owned Producción Alimentaria Porcícola, which belongs to the owners of television and newspaper giant Grupo Sipse. State authorities say the farm will employ “state-of-the-art technology” to protect groundwater and air quality, a claim rejected by Ka’anan Ts’onot.
As many as 49,000 pigs will be raised and slaughtered at the plant, built on a 120-hectare/297-acre property within a nationally protected water reserve.
